Treasury Defies Public Protests to Confirm Tolling of Thika Superhighway

The National Treasury has confirmed it will proceed with plans to introduce toll stations on several major highways, including the Thika Superhighway, despite sustained public pushback. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has maintained that the move is necessary to fund road maintenance and support essential infrastructure upgrades across the country.

Speaking on the development, the Cabinet Secretary noted that high-traffic corridors such as the Nairobi-Thika Road and the Athi River-Namanga Highway require a sustainable funding model. The government argues that current revenue streams, primarily the Road Maintenance Levy, are insufficient to manage the heavy wear on these primary arteries. By implementing a user-pay system, the state aims to mitigate traffic congestion and facilitate further expansion of the road network through private investment.

The decision arrives amidst a wave of protests from motorists and transport stakeholders who view the plan as double taxation. Critics argue that road users already contribute to infrastructure through fuel levies and that additional tolls will drive up the cost of living by increasing transport fares and the price of goods. However, the government has signaled that its fiscal strategy now leans heavily on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to reduce the direct burden on the national budget.

Beyond Thika Road, the tolling policy is expected to target the Rironi-Mau Summit stretch of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. While negotiations continue for projects like the proposed Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, existing public roads that have undergone significant improvement are now being prioritized for fee collection. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) had previously identified the Southern Bypass and the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road as other potential candidates for the scheme.

The Ministry of Transport and the National Treasury have both indicated that the revenue generated will be used specifically for the upkeep of the tolled sections. This model is intended to ensure that major highways remain in top condition without competing for limited funds allocated to rural and secondary road networks.

Despite the administrative resolve, the legal and social hurdles remain significant. Previous attempts to introduce tolls on existing public roads have faced stiff opposition in court and parliament. The government, however, appears to be doubling down on the policy as a prerequisite for engaging international investors in the local construction sector.

As the state moves toward implementation, the focus shifts to how the tolling infrastructure will be integrated into the current road layout. Questions regarding the provision of alternative toll-free routes remain a point of contention, as the latest policy drafts suggest that such alternatives may not be mandatory for all tolled sections. For the thousands of daily commuters on the Thika Superhighway, the confirmation marks a definitive shift in the country's approach to infrastructure management.